•Adult intakes average 50-100 mg /day + that
from supplements
•
•Food sources: fruit and vegetables, potatoes,
food additive
•
•Increases absorption of non-haem iron
•
•Mild deficiency common in elderly, smokers or
very poor diet
•
•Many preparations provide 500 -1000 mg - up to 3 g/day
•
•GL 1000 mg (haemochromatosis – 500 mg in
US)
•
•At high doses ~20% is absorbed; excess may
act as a laxative
•
•Any excess is excreted in the urine some changed to
oxalate
•
•High doses may increase risk of renal oxalate
stones in those who
are predisposed
•
•I.V. use can precipitate haemolysis in those
with deficiency of Glucose-6
Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Africans/Mediterraneans)